But since the party has to pick a new chairman to take over for departing Allen Alley, filling that position with the right person is as good a place as any to start. We're not sure who the right person is, but it's not any of the people who have announced plans to seek the job.

Now, the party needs someone who can do two things that Alley failed to do: craft and sell an image for the state party that is distinct from the national party's troubled image, and win a statewide election. Heck, winning more local races would be a step in the right direction.

So, who can do that? And who would be willing to even try?

Reps. Katie Eyre and Shawn Lindsay, both Hillsboro Republicans who lost bids for re-election, told The Oregonian's Jeff Mapes that they had been urged to run but didn't think they could take on the demanding, no-pay job. The names floated so far by Republicans are largely uninspiring -- either unknowns or controversial figures.

Former congressional candidate Art Robinson wants the job. But his Tea Party popularity and outside-the-mainstream views on global warming and public schools would take the party in the wrong direction. John Swanson also has announced his candidacy. He's young and intelligent but lacks experience and has lost races for the Legislature and Clackamas County Board of Commissioners. The other announced candidate, college student and Army veteran Michael Garvin, has even less experience and name recognition.

So what type of person would make a good Oregon Republican Party chair? Two Republicans who actually won their most recent elections offered suggestions that make sense to us: Someone who's "pragmatic and inclusive," said state Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas. "Somebody fresh with no baggage," said Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey, who holds a nonpartisan position but is registered as a Republican.

Alley said via email that "it might be time for one of our female leaders, Hispanics or younger Republicans to step up," which also is a good idea. And it would help if the new leader had some name recognition and the gift of persuasion.

If the party were healthy, it would be easy to find someone who met those criteria. Instead, it's hard to imagine who beyond Knute Buehler comes close to fitting the job description. And he's best known for being a convincing loser in his bid for secretary of state in November.

Oregon Republicans have until Feb. 2, when the state party central committee meets, to find someone whose name is associated with something other than controversy or losing. For the sake of a strong two-party system and robust political debate in Oregon, we hope they are successful.